Extension Activity of the Week: 18

This week: Mini research projects

I planned this one with Art in mind, but it would work with any subject where pupils have access to information books - for example, I'm going to offer a book on History's Greatest Villains for my pupils to get started on.

Pupils should flick through a book of paintings or work examples and pick one they particularly like. They then have a short amount of time online - dependent on how many of them are doing the extension task, or how busy you are with your computer, but probably not more than 3 minutes - to find out as much about it as they possibly can. They then have a second short amount of time, away from the computer, to turn what they have discovered into an information poster (I will be recommending an information spider diagram but then, I am obsessed with spider diagrams - ask IBR)

This will prove to be a meaningful task in three ways:
1. Pupils will look at books and pictures that they might not normally access, and will have to make a decision about what they like, and then find out more about it.
2. It will improve their speed research skills online.
3. It will help with their short term memory, because they will have to hold the information they find in their heads until they can get it on paper.